heavy fire door shut behind her. She leaned against the cold metal, gaspin

me down!"

had seen it. She had seen the exact moment recognition flickered in Carlisle's eyes. He might not have put the piec

her hand. She looked

led your contact information from the firm's intake file. I am risking my job to

another lawyer at Bradford & Associates. She was young, hungry,

ne, who was trying to balance her red ball on the stair railing. Annemarie was out of options. Ca

-

lounge. The room was dimly lit, bathed in the warm glow of amber Edison bulbs. A low murmur of conv

leather booth in the corner. Brenda looked exactly as she did in t

reeted, standing up.

her, keeping her coat wrapped tightly

oothly. She signaled the

ing," Annemari

Brenda lied, her smile never wav

," Annemarie said. "You work f

le Bradford is a bully. He takes what he wants and crushes anyone in h

ou?" Annemarie asked

he reached into her briefcase and pulled out a thin stack of papers. "This is a motion to dismiss Eston's cus

anning the dense legal jargon. It look

ng to see Carlisle fail," Brenda said, her eyes

sses of clear liquid on the table. Brend

e was being paranoid. She reached out and took a long, desperate sip. The li

her smile widening. She

ted out the technicalities, her voice confident and reassuri

of heat was

e rubbed her eyes, blaming the dim lighting. The ja

voice sounding like it was coming

her tongue feeling thick and

uldn't cooperate. They felt numb, tingling with a stran

d trailed off. She looked at Brenda. The lawyer

her brain. She looked down at the glass of water.

nnemarie gasped, pus

her expression devoid of pity. "Est

llapsed back into the booth, her head lolling to the side. The room wa

o shout, but her vo

grabbed Annemarie's arm, pulling her up with surprising strength. "Co

de of lead. Her thoughts were dissolving into chaos.

's feet dragged on the carpet. As they passed a server with a tray of drinks, Annemarie used the

e turned to stare. Brenda's gr

ndly toward the elevators. Her vision was just a blur of light and shadow

button on the panel. The doors closed just as Brenda